Ways to wear: Stretch cotton dress

This is another of Alice Wark’s designs.
A simple stretch cotton dress is a great versatile addition to any wardrobe.


Here I demonstrate just a handful of different ways you can experiment with the one design to create a range of different outfits easily and inexpensively.

My tip: Be creative, but stick to styles that compliment your body shape and always dress to accentuate your good points. For example if your problem area is your legs, try a fitted style up top and a fuller/flared skirt.

A simple style dress like this also looks great with accessories so why not try creating new looks by adding different belts, jewellery, bags and shoes.

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Featured designer: Alice Wark

A friend of mine put me on to the super talented local designer, Alice Wark.

This is just a sample of Alice's designs. I am loving her 60's and 70's inspired print maxi dresses. A very feminine cut, gorgeous colours and superbly priced at A$80.

These make for great summer dresses - simply add flip flops and your favourite accessories. The maxi dress also works just as well in the cooler months - layer over a fitted skivvy or team with a leather bomber jacket (Ways to wear: Leather jacket), add some tights, boots and shorten the hemline by adding a belt - perfect!

If you would like more information about Alice check out her Etsy site.
If you are an up-and-coming designer that would like to be featured, PM me.

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Ways to wear: Leather jacket

In keeping with my last post, I thought it would be helpful to demonstrate ways to wear the leather jacket.

Here are just a few ways I’ve styled my friend’s leather jacket.

My tip: Add feminine touches to the leather jacket for a polished and pretty look. Team the jacket with pastels or floral prints and experiment with different sleeve lengths.

Alternatively add a denim mini, tights and ankle boots to achieve a rock inspired look.

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Pick of the week: Leather jacket

The trusty leather jacket is always a fashion statement and a piece that you will get a lot of wear out of. So for this week’s pick of the week I’ve tried to track down the best online leather buys.

My tip: Keep an eye out at local thrift shops and markets for your leather jacket. Not only will you save significantly – you will also have a truly unique vintage piece.

Faux leather is also another more affordable option. Many stores now feature some good quality faux leather alternatives which will not only save you money, but also offer a ‘greener’ buying choice.

If you are searching for a leather jacket that won’t date as quickly, stick to a simple design and colour. If you are shopping for a jacket to last you only a couple of seasons, you can afford to pick up pieces with interesting details like ruffles or fringing.

Stockists:

1. Miss Selfridge: http://www.missselfridge.com/ (International delivery)
2. Lipsy: http://www.lipsy.co.uk/ (International delivery)
3. Lipsy: http://www.lipsy.co.uk/ (International delivery)
4. River Island: http://www.riverisland.com/ (UK delivery)
5. Topshop: http://www.topshop.com/ (International delivery)
6. Miss Selfridge: http://www.missselfridge.com/ (International delivery)
7. Topshop: http://www.topshop.com/ (International delivery)

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Ways to wear: Asymmetrical dress

This is a great dress that my friend picked up for only A$60. It is a very basic stretch cotton fabric, but the asymmetrical cut and neon colour makes it a real show stopper.

When I visited her last, she asked me to show her some of the different ways to wear it.

Here I demonstrate just a handful of different looks using the one A$60 dress. You could just as easily wear it as a shirt under suiting, or add a cardigan and boots to create the perfect winter look.

My tip: when styling your outfits, don't be constricted to what the item of clothing is 'meant' to be i.e. if you buy a dress, why not try wearing it as a skirt, or a tunic. Experiment with different lengths and accessories – the only limit is your imagination.

Basic cotton dresses like this one are a great addition to any wardrobe. They are inexpensive, comfortable and can be worn so many different ways.

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Pick of the week: 80's denim

Stumbled across this great 80’s inspired denim skirt for this week’s pick of the week.

Because the skirt is such a statement piece, I’ve balanced the rest of the outfit with basics - black vest and white t-shirt. This combination of red, black and white creates a bold look that comes in at just under A$140.

Stockists/ photos:

Rubi Shoes

Mink Pink http://www.minkpink.com/

Supre http://www.supre.com.au/

Sportsgirl http://www.sportsgirl.com.au/

Ways to wear: The chunky knit

Dilemma: I love this knit, but I only ever wear it one way.

Mission: to create simple and versatile outfits that can be thrown together quickly, using existing wardrobe items.

My friend is a uni student, so she looks for outfits that are both casual and easy to put together. I have created a range of different looks for her, simply by accessorising and teaming the knit with some wardrobe staples.

My tip: stock your wardrobe full of scarves and leggings. This allows you to easily and inexpensively transform your outfits to create new and different looks that can be worn all year round.

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Wardrobe full of clothes but nothing to wear.

I hear it so often from my friends – I have a wardrobe full of clothes, but nothing to wear! That is why I’ve decided to feature a segment on my blog called none other than: ways to wear.

This is where I will demonstrate different and simple ways to style some of your favourite wardrobe items. I hope that you can use these posts as inspiration to pull out that old summer dress or favourite winter cardigan that you loved but just didn’t know what to do with.

The best thing about finding new ways to style what’s already in your wardrobe is that you save money, and benefit from having a range of new outfits to wear.

So stay tuned.

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Pick of the week

Each week I will scour the stores for my best fashion picks of the week.

This week I've stumbled across some great buys that form the perfect autumn outfit - all for only $100.

The best thing about an outfit like this is that you can reuse each item over and over again to create different looks. Swap the scarf for your favourite necklace and the flats for some heels, add a cropped jacket and you have a sophisticated outfit for a night on the town.

Simple, affordable and stylish!

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Luv thy layer

A favourite trend of mine at the moment is layers which are a perfect in-between season outfit option.

My tip – to avoid looking stumpy try and choose a ‘base layer’ (the white in my case) that is quite fitted, avoiding A-lines and team with ankle boots or heels.

Also think about colours, fabric and length when choosing your layers. If you are tall you can afford to go for longer layers, if you are short try and stick to layers that sit above the knee. Avoid anything too thick as this will only add bulk to your frame.

Sticking to simple black, grey and white and accessorising with colour creates a chic yet bold statement look. Teaming with a belt defines and highlights the waist creating a more tailored look instantly.

This is a really simple outfit that cost only $60.

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Summer favourite all year round

Just because the weather has cooled doesn’t mean you have to part with your favourite summer pieces.

Simply adding a few layers to your summer favourite can transform a beach look into an outfit you can wear all year round.

My tip – for the cooler months, stick to darker coloured layers to tone your summer look down.

Team your dress with tights, skirt, a bomber jacket and ankle boots to easily transform the perfect beach look into an outfit that will get you through all seasons.

The total cost of the complete winter outfit is $100.

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DIY – the tube skirt

I am a big fan of DIY, particularly when it is a fashion trend that you may only wear for one season.

My tip – do it yourself. This way you can have the latest in fashion, without spending the hefty price tag.

This is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to get a look that is ‘on trend’. Tube skirts are hot and so easy to make.

Simply take a plain shoestring singlet, any colour you like– I picked this one up for $5, chop off the straps and as easy as that you have your own tube skirt that even Herve Leger would be proud of.

Alternatively if you are handy with a sewing machine, tube skirts can be just as easily put together – experiment with different pattern fabrics to create a truly unique look.

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Oversize me

This is one of the easiest, most comfortable and inexpensive outfits that anyone can throw together.

Simply grab an oversized shirt – I picked this one up for $10, you could also borrow one from a boyfriend, brother, dad. Add a plain cotton cardigan, team with leggings, cinch at the waist with a belt and heypresto you have a simple, stylish and affordable outfit for no more than $50.

My tip when opting for an oversized look like this is to always define the waist with a belt. This transforms a sloppy look into a polished outfit.

If you stick with a simple cardigan, why not experiment with different shirt colours and patterns. You could also swap the leggings for tights or skinny leg jeans and team with boots or ballet flats for a different look.

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The long and the short of it

I like this outfit not only because it makes me look taller than I actually am, but it also demonstrates a key tip to remember when styling your outfits - balance.

If you are wearing shorter, fitted bottoms, balance your top half with something which fits more loosely. And vice versa, if you choose a maxi skirt, balance with a fitted singlet. Another favourite of mine is teaming baggy jeans with a fitted cropped jacket.

My tip - when thinking about balance, consider not only shapes i.e. loose and fitted, long and short, but also about colours.

In this outfit I’ve balanced the lighter denim and pearl necklace, with a dark singlet and jacket creating a nice contrast.

Keeping balance in mind when styling your outfits will create a more tailored look leaving you looking (and feeling) great.

Total cost of this outfit - $100. The most expensive item was the shorts which were store bought, but as I have demonstrated in a previous post, you can just as easily chop up an old pair of jeans and save yourself $60.

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One piece – 5 ways: More mileage from your fashion dollar

A favourite tip of mine is to load your wardrobe with transeasonal pieces that you can transform into different looks – tunics are great!

My advice when buying these pieces is to keep it simple.

Stick to black, charcoal or neutrals with a good fabric and simple design. This way you are assured you can mix and match easily with other pieces in your wardrobe, shoes and accessories and your purchase won't date as quickly.

This is a FCUK tunic that I picked up for around $80. These are just a handful of ways I like to wear it. It is a great light weight wool which means that I can wear it across seasons. For winter I like to team with leggings and boots.

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